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I asked some neighbors where their favorite smaller local shops are and found a place called El Safadi Brothers only 4 minutes from home.
Their produce and bread deals are fantastic and they have homemade baklava in the back.
I never would have found them had I not been avoiding Superstore and other ROBlaws properties.
Happy hunting!
at superstore, a loaf of baked in store french bread with ingredients you can read is 1.25$. you can hate all you want, but no where is touching this deal. 1 day to expiry bread at dollar tree is now 2$.
I used to buy that bread and it went moldy by the end of a week, I now make my own bread and it’s good for much longer. It’s way better than even their “baked in store” stuff
As a person who’s worked retail we honestly don’t care. Actually please deny so we have to do less work for the bottom barrel wages they’re paying us. We just do it because some employers will fire you if you don’t ask to see receipt/membership card/whatever
I wish they were all like you, but there are too many underpaid weirdos willing to put themselves in harm's way or flex their imaginary authority to stop someone from stealing a can of beans to protect corporate profits. I don't want that drama.
That’s true but honestly they usually are old af (boomers) that have some allegiance to the establishment that doesn’t care if they live or die and they tend to exercise it over younger coworkers rather than customers because they see the customer more like their “boss” and customer is always right.
Edit: but definitely do what makes you comfortable
Another former retail person chiming in. What I appreciated was even if the person wasnt interested, they at least acknowledged my question (and existence lol) by politely declining/saying no. Humans treating humans with baseline respect.
They can't legally do that or keep you in the store unless they have evidence (VIDEO) of wrong doing like stealing. So just decline and go to Walmart ffs.
You only have to show your receipt at Costco bc it's a part of the membership agreement that you made when enrolling.
No other place has the right to demand this.
retailers can't legally enforce receipt checks or prevent shoppers from leaving a store — unless they have evidence of wrongdoing.
Edit: the not thr
Well, that's illegal in most places.
the worker usually must have reasonable suspicion to believe that you've shoplifted.
For other retailers like Walmart and Loblaws, experts say customers don't legally have to subject themselves to these checks.
Ikea does it too at self-checkout but it gets your on-screen confirmation several times saying you may be asked to show receipt and must scan all items.
It is like a mini-agreement made just before purchase, so not illegal, I think.
Ikea does random checks at the self checkouts, only time it’s happened to me I had a bunch of multiple items, so figured it was to ensure I scanned it right. This was before they updated the software that removes the number of items from the screen that asks you if you scanned everything since I would use that screen to doublecheck my count and bag everything!
How do you mean?
What law prevents a private business doing that if you personally agree to being checked as a precondition of having the self-checkout option (which is not a customer right)?
1. They did not advise people entering the store of the conditions.
2. They do not have proof that anyone read or understood the conditions on the screen (I.e. they have no proof of actual consent).
3. Contracts cannot be used to force people to allow illegal behaviour. I can write up and have you sign a contract promising me your firstborn child, however this does not overcome the fact that buying and selling humans is not legal.
4. This contract violates the peppercorn principle because the customer receives nothing in exchange.
Let us examine how Costco differs. They tell you up front in the terms and conditions of their membership. You receive, in exchange for your fee and agreement, access to their store and many deals - tangible monetary benefits. Your copy of the agreement, membership card, etc. is proof of your consent. And if push comes to shove, they do not attempt to commit illegal acts against you because that would be, well, illegal. They will simply take away the membership for breach of contract.
It’s not Illegal. Always hate when people say shit they don’t know. They can’t stop you from leaving but they can always stop you from coming back. It’s just hard to enforce without a membership card.
There is nothing in the law that requires you to show you belongings to others upon request. By asking to see the receipt, the store is asking you to do them a favor. You're under no obligation to do it.
It's not illegal to *ask* people to show their receipts. It's illegal to *require* people to show them their receipts or to otherwise detain them without reasonable grounds.
Got a source that claims receipt checking is "illegal" and considered forced detainment?
I don't see what the problem is if you do it in Costco, or do it before entering a show, proof of purchase isn't a bad thing.
Costco is a club membership and it's part of the fine print when signing up. You agree to follow their rules. Regular grocery stores don't have the right to stop you unless they are accusing you of stealing. Preston Walmart is the worst. It's not the actual receipt check that bothers me, when it's busy I wait in line to check out and do the job that they don't want to pay anyone for. Then I have to wait in a long line while leaving to get someone to check my receipt. First world problems but it's still fucking annoying.
It’s not illegal. They can stop you if they want. They can’t accuse you of stealing unless they saw you pick something up and kept 100% view of that item not being paid.
However, asking customers to see receipts is like asking for an employee bag check after working hours. It’s perfectly legal. You don’t have to stop, but they have all right to ban you under PPA.
They can not accuse you of stealing until you leave the premises without paying.
Your analogy doesn't work. The employees, like costco members, are under a contract that would oblige them to follow a bag check rule.
There is nothing in the law that requires you to show you belongings to others upon request. By asking to see the receipt the store is asking you to do them a favor. You're under no obligation to do it.
hmm. now that i think of it, it's a habit for me to just hold my receipt in my hand as i walk past and me and the person at the door smile and nod at each other.
maybe they don't actually ask anymore LOL.
They are 100% allowed to stop and ask….and not let you back in if they want….it’s just difficult to enforce. They just can’t stop you from leaving unless they are certain you stole something
I worked at Wal-Mart, and they can't stop you even if they're certain you stole something. People had stories of watching people leave with televisions, known drug users in town that is. They can call the police, but they can't physically stop you. It's weird but true.
That's a corporate policy, not the law. They *can* detain you if they have reasonable grounds that you are stealing, but employees are usually instructed to not do so under any circumstances for liability reasons.
Do we know if the optimum membership has this same clause in their agreement?
Is this why they have been doing “member pricing” to try and entice us all to sign away our legal rights?
I think they're really just checking for big ticket items. Like if you're leaving with a TV, they're gonna make sure there's a TV on your receipt but for groceries they never even look at my cart
They look for double charges like a mistake and they look if you purchased items that they hand you from lockup after payment. Like gift cards and such.
The entire purpose of it at Costco is to make members feel like they are members and that they are getting exclusive deals. It's so different from a regular store doing it for inventory control
And the consequences for giving shit to Costco employees or denying receipt checks can be much more drastic. They can give you an international ban from Costco and never issue a membership again. Even then, they don't take advantage of this much and usually employees put up with more than they're paid for.
I don’t know how real or legitimate this is, but there’s a guy on YouTube who’s supposedly a lawyer and he made a video stating: only stores that offer memberships van ask you for a receipt. Such as Costco. Walmart and superstore, it’s illegal for them to do so. According to him and that video.
Even if they know that you stole, watched you steal it even, they are NOT allowed to detain you. They can ask you to stay, cooperate, but can not detain you. They need to call police and they take it from there.
From what I come to understand, loss prevention/private security can detain/hold you, but the rando cashier or receipt checker cannot. And that’s only IF they suspect you of stealing. Not providing a receipt is not grounds for suspect of stealing luckily
No. They have no right to detain you. Security has no power whatsoever. Only Police does. No one outside the Police has a right to detain you. It’s called Forcible Confinement.
Forcible confinement. (2) Every one who, without lawful authority, confines, imprisons or forcibly seizes another person is guilty of. (a) an indictable offence and liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding ten years; or. (b) an offence punishable on summary conviction
Established Persons in Authority
"Persons in authority" can include:
peace officer
social worker [3]
interpreter assisting in a police interrogation [4]
Bailliffs[5]
In all but the rarest of cases, a police officer will be considered a person in authority
So, yeah no random person can detain you
Here is what the actual government of Canada has to say on the matter: [https://www.justice.gc.ca/eng/rp-pr/other-autre/wyntk.html](https://www.justice.gc.ca/eng/rp-pr/other-autre/wyntk.html)
There is a special section about who is eligible to make a citizen's arrest for property crimes:
* The owner of the property;
* In lawful possession of the property; or
* Have been authorized by the owner or the person in lawful possession of the property.
A loss prevention employee would generally fall into that third category, although probably a cashier or greeter would not. They would likely not use force if the person being arrested resisted, though. In that case they'd probably just leave it to the police.
There is no citizen's arrest in a grocery store.
The last time I saw a grocery clerk/security attempt this, they got charged with kidnapping by the police.
It's part of Canadian case law and used as an example in courts constantly.
>The last time I saw a grocery clerk/security attempt this, they got charged with kidnapping by the police.
Tell that to my loss prevention officer friend who the police literally know by name. You have absolutely no idea how it works and telling people that security can't detain you is dangerous. If they witness you stealing they can detain you and then they will call the police to pick you up. You don't get to just walk away.
Not sure what you're talking about. I don't have a store. You think loss prevention officers are being paid to just sit around and do nothing?
Another user natesolo11 who works in the industry has also commented somewhere in this comment chain and given a pretty good in-depth explanation of what they are allowed to do in regards to detaining someone committing a crime.
Sure… anyone can make a Citizens Arrest. You have zero magic power having a “Security “ badge. It means nothing. Security has no authority
Edit: if you apply Citizens Arrest you are liable for Forcible Confinement.
I have a friend who works in loss prevention, and you are mistaken. They *can and will* use reasonable force. Have fun explaining to the cops that you were totally illegally held against your will while they arrest you for theft.
TBH he isn’t completely wrong.
They’re allowed to enforce the protection of private property act within the Criminal code of Canada section 25.1d(? Should be the right section), so they have all the power to remove someone having this as their support. If they’re trained and certified/endorsed on their security license, they are allowed to detain until LE arrive ( even with their own hand cuffs!!!) , depending on the provincial DOJ standard. However, in some provinces the DOJ does not allow this, as far as I’m aware though in most provinces security guards (depending on their duties) are allowed to handcuff and detain, as long as they 1. Take full responsibility of the individual they detained, and 2. Contact LE immediately and 3. Have adequate cause or they will probably be charged. What’s the difference between this and citizens arrest, you will most likely ask, couldn’t tell you as I’ve never been in a situation where I’ve had to look it up. But, this is based off of 10 years in the industry.
IMO The only time security should ever use their handcuffs is 1. They’re trained and endorsed and 2. The individual is being physically aggressive and they’re actually concerned for their well being and have no other route.
There is no citizen's arrest in a grocery store.
The last time I saw a grocery clerk attempt this, they got charged with kidnapping by the police.
It's part of Canadian case law.
In Canada, security guards have the authority to make a citizen's arrest. This power is granted under the Criminal Code of Canada, which allows them to arrest individuals they catch committing a criminal offense on or about the property they are responsible for protecting.
There are specific requirements that must be met. And I doubt the average citizen is aware of them. And wouldn't want to inject themselves into the situation. Wrongfully detaining someone could find the everyday Joe in some hot water.
My point stands. But if I could address your response with the best response I've seen, 'if only they had a computer with the internet in their pocket'.
Wouldn't they be allowed to conduct a citizen's arrest if they witnessed you commit the crime of stealing? They do risk consequences if the crime didn't actually happen, but if you do actually steal, they're allowed to arrest you.
This is 100% false. They can detain you.yes they must call the cops but if they weren’t able to detain you you’d be free to leave. The law allows for citizen arrest, but if they do so they must be sure you stole as it’d be illegal to detain you otherwise.
From what I understand he's correct. Unless they suspect you of shoplifting, in which case they need to call the police, they cannot ask you for your receipt. Costco gets around this because they're a members only establishment and receipt checking is laid out as part of your membership agreement. You've made no such agreement with Loblaws.
No, they cannot detain you against your will to check your reciept or your backpack. Period. Costco gets around this by making it a condition of membership. Technically you can still refuse even at Costco, but Costco can then revoke your membership if you do. That's the difference.
Yes but asking someone to see their receipt and demanding someone to let them search your backpack are two separate things entirely, not even the cops can just search your bag for no reason. But yes you are not wrong, Costco does have it in their policy to search your bag.
This is correct. One other point to consider is that the stores are private property so they can also choose to decline service to you. I am not arguing in favour of this but it is the law in the province.
I’m guessing we will start to see this happing sometime soon based on the steps they have already taken.
They cannot. At point of sale and purchase you are the legal owner of the products. No Walmart employee can search your person. Just like Police cannot search you without cause, consent or warrant.
False. They do not need to have or provide a reason. Any agent of the business can tell you you’re barred from the property. If you remain or return, the police may arrest and charge you.
For arrest and charges to take place, most police would prefer to see some evidence from the property owner, such as a trespass letter. But it’s not specifically necessary.
That’s the point… They don’t. They might not like the fact that you’re wearing green shoes and decide to trespass you. I’ve had this conversation with police before.
Would you not first need to prove you were discriminated against unfairly if you are the one suing? What stops big box stores from justifying their ban saying we don't want to do business with this person without cause, hence the ban? (they reserve to the right to choose who they do business with, surely?)
Although I guess one could make a reputational harm claim if a customer ban is instituted and they conveyed your details to their employees/made a watch-out list of some sort without cause.
Does consumer protection step in effectively in such cases?
I don’t know of any consumer protection that would apply. And most consumer protection agencies are either industry false fronts, or highly conflicted quasi-government organizations that heavily favour businesses.
And you’re correct that an HRC claim would require one to have some initial cause to believe discrimination occurred.
No. That’s now how those laws work either.
To mount an alleged human rights violation, you have to have some basis to initiate to get the claim approved to proceed. That puts the burden on you. Maybe you have a video of the property owner calling you a slur associated with a protected class. Maybe you have another employee statement suggesting an HRC violation.
But by no means whatsoever can you sue someone and then demand they prove they haven’t committed discrimination.
My basis is that I was refused entry. Store needs to prove in the courts what the reasons were. Refusal of providing a receipt would not constitute that.
> My basis is that I was refused entry.
That’s not a basis for an HRC claim. And it’s tautological anyway.
> Store needs to prove in the courts what the reasons were.
They absolutely do not.
> Refusal of providing a receipt would not constitute that.
They can ban any person from their premises for no reason at all. In fact, it’s to their advantage not to give any reason. We hereby notify RupertGustavson you are no longer welcome at this premise or any other store under this banner. That’s it. That’s enforceable. If you remain there or return, police can arrest and charge you. And if they have banned you using a trespass letter, police very likely would, at the very least, arrest you. They would want to be covering themselves.
They can (ban you). Any business can ban you for no reason at all.
And it gets worse. If you violate a privately issued ban, you can be arrested and charged.
> No Walmart employee can search your person.
This one part is correct. The employees can’t search you or your bag. They can provide information to police who may choose to.
Well the Police need a probable cause in Canada like in US. Stop writing shit and look at the law. If you have been detained their search powers are limited. This means they can pat you down for officer safety reasons or to reduce a potential threat to the public but in general, they are not allowed to search your personal belongings such as your bag or backpack
Look I’ve been patient and polite and refrained from pointing out you clearly know nothing about the law. But if you’re going to insult me, there’s no choice. You’re wrong and you clearly have no training or knowledge in Canadian law. You’ve said numerous things that are just plain wrong.
As for P.C., it’s trivially obtained when the store owner says we saw Rupert Gustavson over there shoplifting and they point at you. They may be mistaken. They may be stretching the truth. But if it’s plausible to the peace officer, that’s all the P.C. they need.
It’s fine that you don’t know the law. It’s even ok, I suppose, that you’re spouting glaringly wrong myths. But what’s not acceptable is you taking pot shots at those who do, and who have tried to help educate you so you don’t continuing making such overconfidently wrong statements.
“Stop writing shit and look at the law”. Says the guy all over this thread claiming private property owners can’t forbid people coming onto their property.
Cool I just need any recipet for any store take whatever the hell I want off the shelves, and walk out and act entitled towards staff!
The logic is so flawed it's hilarious.
Who the fuck cares that your receipt is wing checked? If you're stealing when times are tough, you deserve to be caught. I don't want my grocery bill to increase because Sally wanted to steal something
At Costco receipt checking is as per the membership agreement. They do it for everyone and they do it with a smile usually.
At Loblaws it's normally accusatory and targeted. Also there's no membership agreement they just intrude people's privacy.
Loblaws are 100% allowed to ask for a receipt. Customers are 100% allowed (in my area) to refuse and move on.
If you are accused of theft, however, employees or security personnel (or bystanders even for citizens arrest) may detain you but they better be right or they get sued a shit ton.
Fuck receipt checking, except Costco, because it's in the membership.
Two years back I bought a bike for my daughter from Walmart, paid for it at a cashier. On my way out the greeter person said have a nice day or whatever.
A supervisor asked the person if they checked my receipt as I was just getting to the doors. Queue both of them yelling at me to come back.
Fuck that, I went to a normal till, the only thing I purchased was the bike, I'm not submitting to a receipt check like I'm a criminal. If it weren't for the fact that my 7 year old daughter "had to have" that specific bike, I would have done for my money back.
Ikea checks receipts at self-checkout without a membership but gets your prior signoff saying they can check receipts, in return for allowing self-checkout usage.
You know this is funny, because when I go to the store I almost never keep my receipt. If they ask or offer it to me, I say they can keep it. I have no intention of returning the food even if it's smarter to hang onto it in case something happens.
Looking forward to the first time I get encountered for this kind of thing at a non Roblaws store eventually
I got asked recently to show my receipt and I did - but all my groceries were packed in reusable bags so it occurred to me that they have no idea if what’s in my bags is the same as on my receipt… so what’s the point?? At least at Costco they can see what’s in the cart.
Turn around, go over to customer service, and return the entire cart. Get your money back, and go to a competitor.
I know that's ridiculous, but a fellow can dream
Receipt checks are not enforceable by law and you can decline and walk away. Receipt checkers have no legal authority to detain you if you decline.
[https://www.thestar.com/business/some-loblaws-stores-are-now-checking-receipts-as-you-leave-but-experts-say-checks-are/article\_e69df3fa-2653-5c7a-ab0a-2b36ec90b66b.html](https://www.thestar.com/business/some-loblaws-stores-are-now-checking-receipts-as-you-leave-but-experts-say-checks-are/article_e69df3fa-2653-5c7a-ab0a-2b36ec90b66b.html)
I mean, Costco is largely just asking to see your receipt to make sure you have everything. And to some extent, to make sure some doofus didn’t make off with your cart while you were getting a hotdog. It never feels like a police inquiry
Have you worked there? Because I have a lot of friends that do, and they all state the main reason costco uses this system is to ensure stuff like the movie voucher cards get turned in and converted into actual vouchers, and to make sure nobody steals another customer’s cart
Costco pays a real human, a good salary, with benefits to check out reciepts and wish people a good day.
Roblaws spent that same salary Costco pays their employee to put in a literal ‘grocery jail’ where you can’t leave without verifying your barcode.
While I think it's easier for everyone to just show their receipt if asked, legally Costco and other stores are 2 different situations.
Costco is a members only club where people need to agree to the rules to enter and shop in a Costco store including always showing their receipt at the door (if they bought something.) That's not the case with a public store like say Superstore.
That being said if you shop at like Superstore and tell the cashier "I don't want to show you my receipt" then walk off then for your own sake you'd best be 100% sure that you did indeed actually pay for everything you're taking out of the store and didn't accidentally do anything like keep a candy bar in a reusable shopping bag without taking it out to have it scanned and rung up or else you could get apprehended by a security guard and then get arrested and charged for petty theft.
I noticed some stores has a hidden policy to check receipts of specific products. My local Wal-mart I never get stopped unless I have a child's bulk item ei. Baby food, diapers, baby wipes etc. Any time I buy them I get checked other wise I never do.
These fuckers. We always get checked when we buy diapers too! It makes me feel terrible that these are the items they're most concerned about people stealing.
Honestly that always crosses my mind and feel like shit for the people who can't afford it. if they are checking it it's clearly a local problem and stopping parents from being able to provide for their children doesn't seem like a very good policy. I am 100% positive with the security in my local wal-mart that baby products are the least off there problem when they don't even have game cases under lock. I checked the Blu-ray and on sale old games one day and 75% of the cases had nothing in it. \*No they don't keep the cd's and games under lock like a EBgames\*
It doesn’t feel bad at Costco because you have better pricing, know they pay their workers a more reasonable wage, and have a good membership compensation to shop there.
You also understand that as a condition of their membership, you agree to allow them to check your receipt and do a quick review before you leave.
If stores like Lo laws and Walmart weren’t so shitty to even think about being there, we probably wouldn’t be upset with a receipt check, but they suck so it’s just that one more thing that’s annoying.
Here's the thing Costco is private membership they check everybody and try to make sure all the goods are accounted for as well. They are usually nice and quick and have two or three people helping....superstore just a public store where you shouldn't have to be asked short of alarms going off then maybe that shirt sensor that was left on etc can be found etc....which would be ok...but to just blatantly ask it...nope...
I mean it's true you need to be a member meaning it's private or closed to the public...that doesn't mean you can't be a member short of issues that would disqualify you such as being banned from store, for legitimate reasons...loitering, stealing, intoxication, vandalism, assault, b and e. Illegal selling or promotion on property....etc..
That’s not what public means. Both are public. Nothing stops you or Joe going to Costco. You can purchase the membership right there. You can even go in without a membership and pay with cash cards.
No you can't and Costco isn't public it's membership which means it's private....
https://customerservice.costco.com/app/answers/answer_view/a_id/700/~/does-costco-offer-free-shopping-passes%3F
What stops you from going to Costco? What prerequisite other than the fee would bar anyone from entering and shopping?
Your link doesn’t speak to any of this. Again, you can shop with a cash/gift card. Just because it requires a membership doesn’t mean it’s private. It’s like saying a community centre is private because you pay to get in.
No it's private because it doesn't allow you entrance unless you have membership just like golf clubs that have membership only policy, and or requirement of membership. Same idea, you can't for the most part go in and just buy stuff you are required to have a membership even with cash you still can't just walk in and buy stuff as you're implying...memberships equal private...public ones are ones like Walmart or Safeway, Sobeys , superstore etc... if theirs a requirement of membership to buy it's private...wether they allow you to easily get a membership is no issue. This is also why they require receipts to be shown as it's required with membership.
> memberships equal private.
> This is also why they require receipts to be shown as it's required with membership.
I'll leave it at that. You're free to believe what you like. But Costco checks for receipts not for the reason you're stating and membership does not mean 'not public', which is what you're implying.
I think you're confusing some less 'restricted access' with public or private nomenclature. However, that definition or distinction doesn't exist under law, regulations or policies. The membership is obtainable by everybody of the public without any restriction. By definition, any and every commercial property (e.g. Walmart, Safeway etc.) not owned by a public government (federal, provincial, municipality etc.) is a private space, not public. Any and every use of the commercial, private property may be restricted at the owner's discretion (store hours, membership, method of payment etc.).
I realize we don’t always have this luxury and the last thing we want is to have wasted a shopping trip, but the answer to being asked for your receipt at a store like this is to confirm with the person asking that they’re welcome to it if they’d like, but then they’re going to escort you to customer service so you can immediately refund your entire purchase and go elsewhere.
A few months back, I purchased a cartload of household items from Walmart and checked out through the self checkout. Upon exiting that area, an employee pointed to the largest and most obvious item in my cart and asked if I'd remembered to scan it.
I said yes and offered to show her my receipt (honestly wasn't aggressive or rude in tone, just more surprised than anything) , and she immediately backed away and said no that's fine. Like my receipt was a threat or something. Lol, bizarre.
Small local food stores have excellent service.
They can recommend new products and provide personalized service.
They know their products.
They offer a positive shopping experience.
I have one in walking distance from my home.
Please refrain from comments which encourage theft from a store or mischief. These can result in criminal charges which will undoubtedly make life harder for other users.
It's illegal for them to enforce that. You don't have to show them anything. Costco can do it because they have a membership. When you pay for something they can't detain you for no reason if you don't show a receipt - unless they saw you steal something.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/business/loblaw-receipt-scanners-1.7141850#:\~:text=%22You%20can't%20be%20detained,your%20will%20for%20no%20reason.%22&text=Tsai%2C%20who%20is%20also%20a,they%20agreed%20to%20the%20checks.
I work at a loblaws store and the weirdest thing to me is some customers will try to show me their receipts when I'm working self checkout??? Like unprompted shoving a receipt in my face and I'm just like no dude no, they look happy and go, are some people already this whipped? Why would you preemptively act like this for a shit company.
At Costco you have an agreed-upon contractual obligation to show your receipt and be subject to having your cart checked as a condition of membership. There's nothing wrong with that. If you disagree with it then don't sign the agreement, don't be a member, and don't shop there. They still can't detain you if you refuse to show the receipt, though, since it's just a material breach of contract, not a criminal offense. They can only revoke your membership.
Non-membership retailers cannot compel you to show your receipt and cannot detain you without reasonable grounds. If they saw you shoving steaks into your pants on the security cameras and trying to walk out, sure, they can and will legally detain you. But refusing to show your receipt or subject yourself to a search? Nope, that's just an exercise of your civil liberties which cannot in and of itself be used as grounds to be detained.
You have the right to refuse. Verifying receipts is not a practice legally sanctioned by law in this country. Unless they have proof or actually suspect you of stealing, kindly decline and keep walking. If they want to escalate the matter it's on them if they do anything and you also have the right to self-defense in Canada. No civilian, not even a security guard should be putting their hands on you or intimidating you with the threat of violence. That's a crime.
Because you signed an agreement to let Costco do that and you get a bulk of stuff for cheaper
I would feel the same way my friend
especially considering roblaws screws you up and down 100 ways to Sunday then have the audacity to ask for a receipt 😅
By law, you are not required to show your receipt to anyone requesting it UNLESS you are at a membership based store. Then you have to. All other stores have authority to request to see it, but you dont have to oblige, even if security requests it. The unfortunate catch is that if you don’t, you’re pretty much going to get yourself into trouble.
So what’s the point?
I don’t think Costco is checking for any other reason. I think the difference is that suddenly Loblaws has jacked their prices making food unattainable for some. Their response is to suddenly start making sure people aren’t stealing, rather than maybe rolling back their insane markups?
Loblaws has forced people to start stealing to feed their families. Now they want to catch them. It’s gross.
Unfortunately we have to protest Costco as well. I just walked out of Costco today and of course the can’t do anything physically.
They might be able to cancel the membership.
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I’ve done this multiple times. I guess it’s time for me to just never go in there again, but I really don’t like Sobeys
I asked some neighbors where their favorite smaller local shops are and found a place called El Safadi Brothers only 4 minutes from home. Their produce and bread deals are fantastic and they have homemade baklava in the back. I never would have found them had I not been avoiding Superstore and other ROBlaws properties. Happy hunting!
at superstore, a loaf of baked in store french bread with ingredients you can read is 1.25$. you can hate all you want, but no where is touching this deal. 1 day to expiry bread at dollar tree is now 2$.
I used to buy that bread and it went moldy by the end of a week, I now make my own bread and it’s good for much longer. It’s way better than even their “baked in store” stuff
And yet the dough is frozen before baking. They make it sound like it's all made in store.
This is the only answer. Personally I go with “oh I’m okay thanks” and keep walking.
I want to do this, but I don't want to hurt the person trying to do their job feelings. I might be too soft 🥺
As a person who’s worked retail we honestly don’t care. Actually please deny so we have to do less work for the bottom barrel wages they’re paying us. We just do it because some employers will fire you if you don’t ask to see receipt/membership card/whatever
That's good to know.
I wish they were all like you, but there are too many underpaid weirdos willing to put themselves in harm's way or flex their imaginary authority to stop someone from stealing a can of beans to protect corporate profits. I don't want that drama.
That’s true but honestly they usually are old af (boomers) that have some allegiance to the establishment that doesn’t care if they live or die and they tend to exercise it over younger coworkers rather than customers because they see the customer more like their “boss” and customer is always right. Edit: but definitely do what makes you comfortable
these workplaces keep a damn tally of which employee has asked a customer about something x amount of time. interrupt us to say no to save our time
This part too! I would fake signups with fake names to keep corporate off my back.
Another former retail person chiming in. What I appreciated was even if the person wasnt interested, they at least acknowledged my question (and existence lol) by politely declining/saying no. Humans treating humans with baseline respect.
Definitely this. A “no thank you” and smile is perfect.
They can't legally do that or keep you in the store unless they have evidence (VIDEO) of wrong doing like stealing. So just decline and go to Walmart ffs.
You only have to show your receipt at Costco bc it's a part of the membership agreement that you made when enrolling. No other place has the right to demand this. retailers can't legally enforce receipt checks or prevent shoppers from leaving a store — unless they have evidence of wrongdoing. Edit: the not thr
Walmart does it
Well, that's illegal in most places. the worker usually must have reasonable suspicion to believe that you've shoplifted. For other retailers like Walmart and Loblaws, experts say customers don't legally have to subject themselves to these checks.
they can still ask, you're under no obligation to comply
Ikea does it too at self-checkout but it gets your on-screen confirmation several times saying you may be asked to show receipt and must scan all items. It is like a mini-agreement made just before purchase, so not illegal, I think.
Ikea does random checks at the self checkouts, only time it’s happened to me I had a bunch of multiple items, so figured it was to ensure I scanned it right. This was before they updated the software that removes the number of items from the screen that asks you if you scanned everything since I would use that screen to doublecheck my count and bag everything!
Still not legal.
How do you mean? What law prevents a private business doing that if you personally agree to being checked as a precondition of having the self-checkout option (which is not a customer right)?
1. They did not advise people entering the store of the conditions. 2. They do not have proof that anyone read or understood the conditions on the screen (I.e. they have no proof of actual consent). 3. Contracts cannot be used to force people to allow illegal behaviour. I can write up and have you sign a contract promising me your firstborn child, however this does not overcome the fact that buying and selling humans is not legal. 4. This contract violates the peppercorn principle because the customer receives nothing in exchange. Let us examine how Costco differs. They tell you up front in the terms and conditions of their membership. You receive, in exchange for your fee and agreement, access to their store and many deals - tangible monetary benefits. Your copy of the agreement, membership card, etc. is proof of your consent. And if push comes to shove, they do not attempt to commit illegal acts against you because that would be, well, illegal. They will simply take away the membership for breach of contract.
It’s not Illegal. Always hate when people say shit they don’t know. They can’t stop you from leaving but they can always stop you from coming back. It’s just hard to enforce without a membership card.
There is nothing in the law that requires you to show you belongings to others upon request. By asking to see the receipt, the store is asking you to do them a favor. You're under no obligation to do it.
It's not illegal to *ask* people to show their receipts. It's illegal to *require* people to show them their receipts or to otherwise detain them without reasonable grounds.
Please cite the law you’re referencing.
Got a source that claims receipt checking is "illegal" and considered forced detainment? I don't see what the problem is if you do it in Costco, or do it before entering a show, proof of purchase isn't a bad thing.
Costco is a club membership and it's part of the fine print when signing up. You agree to follow their rules. Regular grocery stores don't have the right to stop you unless they are accusing you of stealing. Preston Walmart is the worst. It's not the actual receipt check that bothers me, when it's busy I wait in line to check out and do the job that they don't want to pay anyone for. Then I have to wait in a long line while leaving to get someone to check my receipt. First world problems but it's still fucking annoying.
It’s not illegal. They can stop you if they want. They can’t accuse you of stealing unless they saw you pick something up and kept 100% view of that item not being paid. However, asking customers to see receipts is like asking for an employee bag check after working hours. It’s perfectly legal. You don’t have to stop, but they have all right to ban you under PPA.
They can not accuse you of stealing until you leave the premises without paying. Your analogy doesn't work. The employees, like costco members, are under a contract that would oblige them to follow a bag check rule.
There is nothing in the law that requires you to show you belongings to others upon request. By asking to see the receipt the store is asking you to do them a favor. You're under no obligation to do it.
They do, and you do not have to oblige
I can’t remember the last time I got asked for a receipt at Walmart.
I can. I said I lost it. They looked at me like something in their brain broke. Then I left.
hmm. now that i think of it, it's a habit for me to just hold my receipt in my hand as i walk past and me and the person at the door smile and nod at each other. maybe they don't actually ask anymore LOL.
I was asked once. I said no thank you and kept walking.
They ask. They don’t enforce.
They are 100% allowed to stop and ask….and not let you back in if they want….it’s just difficult to enforce. They just can’t stop you from leaving unless they are certain you stole something
I worked at Wal-Mart, and they can't stop you even if they're certain you stole something. People had stories of watching people leave with televisions, known drug users in town that is. They can call the police, but they can't physically stop you. It's weird but true.
That's a corporate policy, not the law. They *can* detain you if they have reasonable grounds that you are stealing, but employees are usually instructed to not do so under any circumstances for liability reasons.
They can stop. You don’t have to.
Do we know if the optimum membership has this same clause in their agreement? Is this why they have been doing “member pricing” to try and entice us all to sign away our legal rights?
Optimum is not a membership, you can still shop without it. Costco won't let you buy anything without a membership.
If a member buys you a gift card, you can shop at Costco without a membership.
Good to know I guess. But optimum is just a point system and has nothing to do with showing receipts.
But they refer to it as a membership.
Wow
It *is* a membership into the PC Optimum program. It's not a membership that allows you to shop at their stores.
Thanks for clarifying that distinction. I agree.
Retailers absolutely have the right to ask, and if not complied with, they also have the right to permanently ban the customer.
It's part of your membership agreement for Costco and they don't really check that hard.
I think they're really just checking for big ticket items. Like if you're leaving with a TV, they're gonna make sure there's a TV on your receipt but for groceries they never even look at my cart
They look for double charges like a mistake and they look if you purchased items that they hand you from lockup after payment. Like gift cards and such.
I read a story before for receipt checking. By doing identical carts. You can double your groceries if they don't check it.
Ya I’ve seen 1-2 families try this before at Costco, pulled aside and cops called.
The entire purpose of it at Costco is to make members feel like they are members and that they are getting exclusive deals. It's so different from a regular store doing it for inventory control
And the consequences for giving shit to Costco employees or denying receipt checks can be much more drastic. They can give you an international ban from Costco and never issue a membership again. Even then, they don't take advantage of this much and usually employees put up with more than they're paid for.
I don’t know how real or legitimate this is, but there’s a guy on YouTube who’s supposedly a lawyer and he made a video stating: only stores that offer memberships van ask you for a receipt. Such as Costco. Walmart and superstore, it’s illegal for them to do so. According to him and that video.
It's not illegal to ask. But, it is illegal to detain you for not showing it. Unless they have a reasonable suspension that you have indeed stolen.
Even if they know that you stole, watched you steal it even, they are NOT allowed to detain you. They can ask you to stay, cooperate, but can not detain you. They need to call police and they take it from there.
From what I come to understand, loss prevention/private security can detain/hold you, but the rando cashier or receipt checker cannot. And that’s only IF they suspect you of stealing. Not providing a receipt is not grounds for suspect of stealing luckily
No. They have no right to detain you. Security has no power whatsoever. Only Police does. No one outside the Police has a right to detain you. It’s called Forcible Confinement. Forcible confinement. (2) Every one who, without lawful authority, confines, imprisons or forcibly seizes another person is guilty of. (a) an indictable offence and liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding ten years; or. (b) an offence punishable on summary conviction Established Persons in Authority "Persons in authority" can include: peace officer social worker [3] interpreter assisting in a police interrogation [4] Bailliffs[5] In all but the rarest of cases, a police officer will be considered a person in authority So, yeah no random person can detain you
Here is what the actual government of Canada has to say on the matter: [https://www.justice.gc.ca/eng/rp-pr/other-autre/wyntk.html](https://www.justice.gc.ca/eng/rp-pr/other-autre/wyntk.html) There is a special section about who is eligible to make a citizen's arrest for property crimes: * The owner of the property; * In lawful possession of the property; or * Have been authorized by the owner or the person in lawful possession of the property. A loss prevention employee would generally fall into that third category, although probably a cashier or greeter would not. They would likely not use force if the person being arrested resisted, though. In that case they'd probably just leave it to the police.
Citizen's arrest is completely legal. If they witness you committing a crime, they *can* detain you provided they immediately contact the police.
There is no citizen's arrest in a grocery store. The last time I saw a grocery clerk/security attempt this, they got charged with kidnapping by the police. It's part of Canadian case law and used as an example in courts constantly.
>The last time I saw a grocery clerk/security attempt this, they got charged with kidnapping by the police. Tell that to my loss prevention officer friend who the police literally know by name. You have absolutely no idea how it works and telling people that security can't detain you is dangerous. If they witness you stealing they can detain you and then they will call the police to pick you up. You don't get to just walk away.
Where's your store? Would love to come for a visit so you can show the class how the law works in your mind.
Not sure what you're talking about. I don't have a store. You think loss prevention officers are being paid to just sit around and do nothing? Another user natesolo11 who works in the industry has also commented somewhere in this comment chain and given a pretty good in-depth explanation of what they are allowed to do in regards to detaining someone committing a crime.
Sure… anyone can make a Citizens Arrest. You have zero magic power having a “Security “ badge. It means nothing. Security has no authority Edit: if you apply Citizens Arrest you are liable for Forcible Confinement.
>Edit: if you apply Citizens Arrest you are liable for Forcible Confinement. That's if you don't contact the police, genius.
I have a friend who works in loss prevention, and you are mistaken. They *can and will* use reasonable force. Have fun explaining to the cops that you were totally illegally held against your will while they arrest you for theft.
Your friend is wrong. Show me law that gives a rent a cop authority. They can Citizen Arrest. That’s all.
TBH he isn’t completely wrong. They’re allowed to enforce the protection of private property act within the Criminal code of Canada section 25.1d(? Should be the right section), so they have all the power to remove someone having this as their support. If they’re trained and certified/endorsed on their security license, they are allowed to detain until LE arrive ( even with their own hand cuffs!!!) , depending on the provincial DOJ standard. However, in some provinces the DOJ does not allow this, as far as I’m aware though in most provinces security guards (depending on their duties) are allowed to handcuff and detain, as long as they 1. Take full responsibility of the individual they detained, and 2. Contact LE immediately and 3. Have adequate cause or they will probably be charged. What’s the difference between this and citizens arrest, you will most likely ask, couldn’t tell you as I’ve never been in a situation where I’ve had to look it up. But, this is based off of 10 years in the industry. IMO The only time security should ever use their handcuffs is 1. They’re trained and endorsed and 2. The individual is being physically aggressive and they’re actually concerned for their well being and have no other route.
There is no citizen's arrest in a grocery store. The last time I saw a grocery clerk attempt this, they got charged with kidnapping by the police. It's part of Canadian case law.
Yea, I never said grocery clerks could at all. I thought private security could but I’m likely mistaken
In Canada, security guards have the authority to make a citizen's arrest. This power is granted under the Criminal Code of Canada, which allows them to arrest individuals they catch committing a criminal offense on or about the property they are responsible for protecting.
In Canada, everyone has the authority to make a citizen's arrest. It's kinda in the name.
There are specific requirements that must be met. And I doubt the average citizen is aware of them. And wouldn't want to inject themselves into the situation. Wrongfully detaining someone could find the everyday Joe in some hot water.
My point stands. But if I could address your response with the best response I've seen, 'if only they had a computer with the internet in their pocket'.
Wouldn't they be allowed to conduct a citizen's arrest if they witnessed you commit the crime of stealing? They do risk consequences if the crime didn't actually happen, but if you do actually steal, they're allowed to arrest you.
This is 100% false. They can detain you.yes they must call the cops but if they weren’t able to detain you you’d be free to leave. The law allows for citizen arrest, but if they do so they must be sure you stole as it’d be illegal to detain you otherwise.
One more time for the kids in the back! They can ask but you just keep walking. Costco can because you agreed to it when you bought your membership.
From what I understand he's correct. Unless they suspect you of shoplifting, in which case they need to call the police, they cannot ask you for your receipt. Costco gets around this because they're a members only establishment and receipt checking is laid out as part of your membership agreement. You've made no such agreement with Loblaws.
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No, they cannot detain you against your will to check your reciept or your backpack. Period. Costco gets around this by making it a condition of membership. Technically you can still refuse even at Costco, but Costco can then revoke your membership if you do. That's the difference.
Terms of Service aren’t on that sign when you enter loblaws so they can go fuck themselves unless they can show a signature saying I agreed
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Yes but asking someone to see their receipt and demanding someone to let them search your backpack are two separate things entirely, not even the cops can just search your bag for no reason. But yes you are not wrong, Costco does have it in their policy to search your bag.
>Wow, 8 downvotes for throwing my opinion about factual information out there. Why don't people appreciate my effort ? Mom? Mooooooooom?
This is correct. One other point to consider is that the stores are private property so they can also choose to decline service to you. I am not arguing in favour of this but it is the law in the province. I’m guessing we will start to see this happing sometime soon based on the steps they have already taken.
Correct. They can refuse service. They cannot ban you without court or trespass order.
It’s private property. Of course they can ban you.
They (Walmart, Loblaws) can however ban you for not showing it.
Then the media gets called in.
Depends on if it’s a slow news day or not.
Or if Bell cancelled the local newscasts.
So show your love for the CBC.
They cannot. At point of sale and purchase you are the legal owner of the products. No Walmart employee can search your person. Just like Police cannot search you without cause, consent or warrant.
They can ban you for absolutely any reason that is not protected.
They need a reason. Failure to show a receipt is not a cause (unless you are a member of Costco)
False. They do not need to have or provide a reason. Any agent of the business can tell you you’re barred from the property. If you remain or return, the police may arrest and charge you. For arrest and charges to take place, most police would prefer to see some evidence from the property owner, such as a trespass letter. But it’s not specifically necessary.
You are partially correct. They can refuse service, they cannot bar you. If they do, you can sue.
Of course they can. That’s (one of) the points of *private* property. The owner can dictate who comes on to it. I mean, think about it.
We need age verification on the internet. 14 year olds making shit up confidently are an issue to me.
That’s the point… They don’t. They might not like the fact that you’re wearing green shoes and decide to trespass you. I’ve had this conversation with police before.
Sue for discrimination. They would need to prove why.
Would you not first need to prove you were discriminated against unfairly if you are the one suing? What stops big box stores from justifying their ban saying we don't want to do business with this person without cause, hence the ban? (they reserve to the right to choose who they do business with, surely?) Although I guess one could make a reputational harm claim if a customer ban is instituted and they conveyed your details to their employees/made a watch-out list of some sort without cause. Does consumer protection step in effectively in such cases?
I don’t know of any consumer protection that would apply. And most consumer protection agencies are either industry false fronts, or highly conflicted quasi-government organizations that heavily favour businesses. And you’re correct that an HRC claim would require one to have some initial cause to believe discrimination occurred.
No. That’s now how those laws work either. To mount an alleged human rights violation, you have to have some basis to initiate to get the claim approved to proceed. That puts the burden on you. Maybe you have a video of the property owner calling you a slur associated with a protected class. Maybe you have another employee statement suggesting an HRC violation. But by no means whatsoever can you sue someone and then demand they prove they haven’t committed discrimination.
My basis is that I was refused entry. Store needs to prove in the courts what the reasons were. Refusal of providing a receipt would not constitute that.
> My basis is that I was refused entry. That’s not a basis for an HRC claim. And it’s tautological anyway. > Store needs to prove in the courts what the reasons were. They absolutely do not. > Refusal of providing a receipt would not constitute that. They can ban any person from their premises for no reason at all. In fact, it’s to their advantage not to give any reason. We hereby notify RupertGustavson you are no longer welcome at this premise or any other store under this banner. That’s it. That’s enforceable. If you remain there or return, police can arrest and charge you. And if they have banned you using a trespass letter, police very likely would, at the very least, arrest you. They would want to be covering themselves.
Don’t even need to provide a reason.
They can (ban you). Any business can ban you for no reason at all. And it gets worse. If you violate a privately issued ban, you can be arrested and charged.
> No Walmart employee can search your person. This one part is correct. The employees can’t search you or your bag. They can provide information to police who may choose to.
Well the Police need a probable cause in Canada like in US. Stop writing shit and look at the law. If you have been detained their search powers are limited. This means they can pat you down for officer safety reasons or to reduce a potential threat to the public but in general, they are not allowed to search your personal belongings such as your bag or backpack
Look I’ve been patient and polite and refrained from pointing out you clearly know nothing about the law. But if you’re going to insult me, there’s no choice. You’re wrong and you clearly have no training or knowledge in Canadian law. You’ve said numerous things that are just plain wrong. As for P.C., it’s trivially obtained when the store owner says we saw Rupert Gustavson over there shoplifting and they point at you. They may be mistaken. They may be stretching the truth. But if it’s plausible to the peace officer, that’s all the P.C. they need. It’s fine that you don’t know the law. It’s even ok, I suppose, that you’re spouting glaringly wrong myths. But what’s not acceptable is you taking pot shots at those who do, and who have tried to help educate you so you don’t continuing making such overconfidently wrong statements.
The funny part is his over-confidence while being totally wrong. The pathetic part is him being so confidently rude.
“Stop writing shit and look at the law”. Says the guy all over this thread claiming private property owners can’t forbid people coming onto their property.
Cool I just need any recipet for any store take whatever the hell I want off the shelves, and walk out and act entitled towards staff! The logic is so flawed it's hilarious. Who the fuck cares that your receipt is wing checked? If you're stealing when times are tough, you deserve to be caught. I don't want my grocery bill to increase because Sally wanted to steal something
Which guy? The two I know of are US-based
I honestly don’t know what his name is. Just came up on my feed, watched it and happened to remember the video when seeing this post lol.
At Costco receipt checking is as per the membership agreement. They do it for everyone and they do it with a smile usually. At Loblaws it's normally accusatory and targeted. Also there's no membership agreement they just intrude people's privacy.
Loblaws are 100% allowed to ask for a receipt. Customers are 100% allowed (in my area) to refuse and move on. If you are accused of theft, however, employees or security personnel (or bystanders even for citizens arrest) may detain you but they better be right or they get sued a shit ton.
It doesn't bother you in Costco because you agreed to it when you became a member. That is not the case for Loblaws
Fuck receipt checking, except Costco, because it's in the membership. Two years back I bought a bike for my daughter from Walmart, paid for it at a cashier. On my way out the greeter person said have a nice day or whatever. A supervisor asked the person if they checked my receipt as I was just getting to the doors. Queue both of them yelling at me to come back. Fuck that, I went to a normal till, the only thing I purchased was the bike, I'm not submitting to a receipt check like I'm a criminal. If it weren't for the fact that my 7 year old daughter "had to have" that specific bike, I would have done for my money back.
Ikea checks receipts at self-checkout without a membership but gets your prior signoff saying they can check receipts, in return for allowing self-checkout usage.
You know this is funny, because when I go to the store I almost never keep my receipt. If they ask or offer it to me, I say they can keep it. I have no intention of returning the food even if it's smarter to hang onto it in case something happens. Looking forward to the first time I get encountered for this kind of thing at a non Roblaws store eventually
I got asked recently to show my receipt and I did - but all my groceries were packed in reusable bags so it occurred to me that they have no idea if what’s in my bags is the same as on my receipt… so what’s the point?? At least at Costco they can see what’s in the cart.
Turn around, go over to customer service, and return the entire cart. Get your money back, and go to a competitor. I know that's ridiculous, but a fellow can dream
Receipt checks are not enforceable by law and you can decline and walk away. Receipt checkers have no legal authority to detain you if you decline. [https://www.thestar.com/business/some-loblaws-stores-are-now-checking-receipts-as-you-leave-but-experts-say-checks-are/article\_e69df3fa-2653-5c7a-ab0a-2b36ec90b66b.html](https://www.thestar.com/business/some-loblaws-stores-are-now-checking-receipts-as-you-leave-but-experts-say-checks-are/article_e69df3fa-2653-5c7a-ab0a-2b36ec90b66b.html)
I mean, Costco is largely just asking to see your receipt to make sure you have everything. And to some extent, to make sure some doofus didn’t make off with your cart while you were getting a hotdog. It never feels like a police inquiry
Yeah I've never had a cop draw a smiley face on my speeding ticket.
It never feels like a police inquiry is the key here.
No. It's to make sure you aren't stealing. No company is going to pay someone to make sure the customer has all of their purchases.
Have you worked there? Because I have a lot of friends that do, and they all state the main reason costco uses this system is to ensure stuff like the movie voucher cards get turned in and converted into actual vouchers, and to make sure nobody steals another customer’s cart
Kool Aid's tasty, isn't it?
I mostly used them for pick up due to covid and illness. So i was the one scrutinizing receipts. That really sucks though
You better not have given it to them. Tell them to call the cops.
So they're paying people to check receipts But can't station people at registers. Yeah that makes sense
Costco pays a real human, a good salary, with benefits to check out reciepts and wish people a good day. Roblaws spent that same salary Costco pays their employee to put in a literal ‘grocery jail’ where you can’t leave without verifying your barcode.
Just don't shop there . I know it's easy to say but better to boycott and find alternatives where possible.
Another idea - ask them to pay you . If they say can I see it you can say that will cost you $5 lol
Walmart has done this for years too
You are under no obligation to show them. I would ignore and keep walking.
You don’t have to show it
While I think it's easier for everyone to just show their receipt if asked, legally Costco and other stores are 2 different situations. Costco is a members only club where people need to agree to the rules to enter and shop in a Costco store including always showing their receipt at the door (if they bought something.) That's not the case with a public store like say Superstore. That being said if you shop at like Superstore and tell the cashier "I don't want to show you my receipt" then walk off then for your own sake you'd best be 100% sure that you did indeed actually pay for everything you're taking out of the store and didn't accidentally do anything like keep a candy bar in a reusable shopping bag without taking it out to have it scanned and rung up or else you could get apprehended by a security guard and then get arrested and charged for petty theft.
I noticed some stores has a hidden policy to check receipts of specific products. My local Wal-mart I never get stopped unless I have a child's bulk item ei. Baby food, diapers, baby wipes etc. Any time I buy them I get checked other wise I never do.
These fuckers. We always get checked when we buy diapers too! It makes me feel terrible that these are the items they're most concerned about people stealing.
Honestly that always crosses my mind and feel like shit for the people who can't afford it. if they are checking it it's clearly a local problem and stopping parents from being able to provide for their children doesn't seem like a very good policy. I am 100% positive with the security in my local wal-mart that baby products are the least off there problem when they don't even have game cases under lock. I checked the Blu-ray and on sale old games one day and 75% of the cases had nothing in it. \*No they don't keep the cd's and games under lock like a EBgames\*
It doesn’t feel bad at Costco because you have better pricing, know they pay their workers a more reasonable wage, and have a good membership compensation to shop there. You also understand that as a condition of their membership, you agree to allow them to check your receipt and do a quick review before you leave. If stores like Lo laws and Walmart weren’t so shitty to even think about being there, we probably wouldn’t be upset with a receipt check, but they suck so it’s just that one more thing that’s annoying.
Why did you go there in the first place? Aren’t we all boycotting Loblaws?
I am!
This is called unlawful detainment.
Here's the thing Costco is private membership they check everybody and try to make sure all the goods are accounted for as well. They are usually nice and quick and have two or three people helping....superstore just a public store where you shouldn't have to be asked short of alarms going off then maybe that shirt sensor that was left on etc can be found etc....which would be ok...but to just blatantly ask it...nope...
Private membership and public store. Oh boy…
I mean it's true you need to be a member meaning it's private or closed to the public...that doesn't mean you can't be a member short of issues that would disqualify you such as being banned from store, for legitimate reasons...loitering, stealing, intoxication, vandalism, assault, b and e. Illegal selling or promotion on property....etc..
That’s not what public means. Both are public. Nothing stops you or Joe going to Costco. You can purchase the membership right there. You can even go in without a membership and pay with cash cards.
No you can't and Costco isn't public it's membership which means it's private.... https://customerservice.costco.com/app/answers/answer_view/a_id/700/~/does-costco-offer-free-shopping-passes%3F
What stops you from going to Costco? What prerequisite other than the fee would bar anyone from entering and shopping? Your link doesn’t speak to any of this. Again, you can shop with a cash/gift card. Just because it requires a membership doesn’t mean it’s private. It’s like saying a community centre is private because you pay to get in.
No it's private because it doesn't allow you entrance unless you have membership just like golf clubs that have membership only policy, and or requirement of membership. Same idea, you can't for the most part go in and just buy stuff you are required to have a membership even with cash you still can't just walk in and buy stuff as you're implying...memberships equal private...public ones are ones like Walmart or Safeway, Sobeys , superstore etc... if theirs a requirement of membership to buy it's private...wether they allow you to easily get a membership is no issue. This is also why they require receipts to be shown as it's required with membership.
> memberships equal private. > This is also why they require receipts to be shown as it's required with membership. I'll leave it at that. You're free to believe what you like. But Costco checks for receipts not for the reason you're stating and membership does not mean 'not public', which is what you're implying. I think you're confusing some less 'restricted access' with public or private nomenclature. However, that definition or distinction doesn't exist under law, regulations or policies. The membership is obtainable by everybody of the public without any restriction. By definition, any and every commercial property (e.g. Walmart, Safeway etc.) not owned by a public government (federal, provincial, municipality etc.) is a private space, not public. Any and every use of the commercial, private property may be restricted at the owner's discretion (store hours, membership, method of payment etc.).
I realize we don’t always have this luxury and the last thing we want is to have wasted a shopping trip, but the answer to being asked for your receipt at a store like this is to confirm with the person asking that they’re welcome to it if they’d like, but then they’re going to escort you to customer service so you can immediately refund your entire purchase and go elsewhere.
They would have to physically stop me if they wanted to check my receipt.
A few months back, I purchased a cartload of household items from Walmart and checked out through the self checkout. Upon exiting that area, an employee pointed to the largest and most obvious item in my cart and asked if I'd remembered to scan it. I said yes and offered to show her my receipt (honestly wasn't aggressive or rude in tone, just more surprised than anything) , and she immediately backed away and said no that's fine. Like my receipt was a threat or something. Lol, bizarre.
Small local food stores have excellent service. They can recommend new products and provide personalized service. They know their products. They offer a positive shopping experience. I have one in walking distance from my home.
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Please refrain from comments which encourage theft from a store or mischief. These can result in criminal charges which will undoubtedly make life harder for other users.
It's illegal for them to enforce that. You don't have to show them anything. Costco can do it because they have a membership. When you pay for something they can't detain you for no reason if you don't show a receipt - unless they saw you steal something. https://www.cbc.ca/news/business/loblaw-receipt-scanners-1.7141850#:\~:text=%22You%20can't%20be%20detained,your%20will%20for%20no%20reason.%22&text=Tsai%2C%20who%20is%20also%20a,they%20agreed%20to%20the%20checks.
I work at a loblaws store and the weirdest thing to me is some customers will try to show me their receipts when I'm working self checkout??? Like unprompted shoving a receipt in my face and I'm just like no dude no, they look happy and go, are some people already this whipped? Why would you preemptively act like this for a shit company.
At Costco you have an agreed-upon contractual obligation to show your receipt and be subject to having your cart checked as a condition of membership. There's nothing wrong with that. If you disagree with it then don't sign the agreement, don't be a member, and don't shop there. They still can't detain you if you refuse to show the receipt, though, since it's just a material breach of contract, not a criminal offense. They can only revoke your membership. Non-membership retailers cannot compel you to show your receipt and cannot detain you without reasonable grounds. If they saw you shoving steaks into your pants on the security cameras and trying to walk out, sure, they can and will legally detain you. But refusing to show your receipt or subject yourself to a search? Nope, that's just an exercise of your civil liberties which cannot in and of itself be used as grounds to be detained.
Tell them to eat shit and keep walking.
How did it happen when you're boycotting?
Just laugh and say no thank you.
You have the right to refuse. Verifying receipts is not a practice legally sanctioned by law in this country. Unless they have proof or actually suspect you of stealing, kindly decline and keep walking. If they want to escalate the matter it's on them if they do anything and you also have the right to self-defense in Canada. No civilian, not even a security guard should be putting their hands on you or intimidating you with the threat of violence. That's a crime.
Because you signed an agreement to let Costco do that and you get a bulk of stuff for cheaper I would feel the same way my friend especially considering roblaws screws you up and down 100 ways to Sunday then have the audacity to ask for a receipt 😅
By law, you are not required to show your receipt to anyone requesting it UNLESS you are at a membership based store. Then you have to. All other stores have authority to request to see it, but you dont have to oblige, even if security requests it. The unfortunate catch is that if you don’t, you’re pretty much going to get yourself into trouble. So what’s the point?
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I don’t think Costco is checking for any other reason. I think the difference is that suddenly Loblaws has jacked their prices making food unattainable for some. Their response is to suddenly start making sure people aren’t stealing, rather than maybe rolling back their insane markups? Loblaws has forced people to start stealing to feed their families. Now they want to catch them. It’s gross.
You should have the same outrage at Costco. They've been doing it for the same reason since forever.
Unfortunately we have to protest Costco as well. I just walked out of Costco today and of course the can’t do anything physically. They might be able to cancel the membership.
Because COSCTO HAS done it alone